Deborra-lee Furness launches #AdoptChange

 AUGUST, 2014
Deborra-lee Furness launches #AdoptChange
On Wednesday 20 August, Deborra-lee Furness was joined by adoption community
members, sector representatives and political leaders and fellow child advocates to launch
Adopt Change. This new initiative will allow the advocacy group behind National Adoption
Awareness Week to campaign for the rights of all children year-round.
Adopt Change advocates the development of ethical and expedient adoption legislation for
both local and intercountry adoption systems, to ensure that the best interests of children are
of paramount concern.
Guests heard from Founder and Patron Deborra-lee Furness, new Youth Ambassador, Zufi
Emerson, the Hon. Bronwyn Bishop MP, long time Adopt Change Ambassador Jack
Thompson and our MC, Adopt Change Board Director and Editor-in-Chief of the Australian
Women’s Weekly, Helen McCabe.
“What we at Adopt Change are advocating for is NOT to repeat the mistakes
of the past. If we step up and do this properly, we need to provide a pre- and
post-adoption service to serve everyone affected by adoption.“ - Deborra-lee
Furness
Adopt Change wants to see the establishment of a national Centre of Excellence to address
the severe lack of support currently available in Australia, which is the most vital piece of an
ethical adoption system. The Centre should service all parties to the adoption process –
relinquishing parents, adoptees, adoptive families, Government and service providers.
Images from the launch available to download - http://bit.ly/1tqqNWV
Video from the launch, please share - http://youtu.be/YlmlZEvydWs
National Adoption Awareness Week will take place from 9 – 15 November, 2014. Leading
international child psychologist Dr Karyn Purvis will be returning to run workshops with
parents and professionals, and meet with Governments on the creation of the Centre of
Excellence.
“We need permanency for our children, we need policies and procedures that
reflect current levels of brain research” - Dr. Karyn Purvis
For further information about NAAW 2014, including Dr Purvis’ visit, make sure you sign up
to join our family at our brand new website - www.adoptchange.org.au.
New Adopt Change Ambassadors (in 2014) - view all Ambassadors on the website.
• Latika Bourke - Indian adoptee, political journalist
• Zufi Emerson - 17yo Ethiopian adoptee, Youth Ambassador
• Media Ambassadors:
o Mel Doyle - journalist/TV presenter, human rights advocate
o Karl Stefanovic - journalist/TV presenter, long time supporter
o Sandra Sully - journalist, step-mother to Mia, 6yo Indonesian adoptee
o Lisa Wilkinson - journalist/TV presenter, child advocate
We are absolutely delighted that Kiehl’s will be supporting us again this year with a Limited
Edition product available in all Kiehl’s stores during November.
JOIN OUR FAMILY…
Sign up at www.adoptchange.org.au
Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter
#AdoptChange
General enquiries, please contact enquiries@adoptchange.org.au
MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
media@adoptchange.org.au
02 9302 0213
THANKS…
We were delighted to be joined by an exceptionally committed group of fellow child
advocates at the launch including representatives from Barnardos Australia, IAFQ and
International Social Service Australia. Thanks for being there with us.
Special thanks to Luke Mangan, the team at glass brasserie for hosting our event, and
thanks to the Hilton Sydney for having our guests stay at the hotel.
As always, a huge thanks to all of our ongoing partners - the Pratt Foundation, Packer
Family Foundation, Newman’s Own Foundation, Keihl’s, Boston Consulting Group, and
Egon Zehnder. Particular mention to Lindsey and Cade at Special Group for the brilliant
re-brand.